First the Vengaboys, now AQUA!
What has Sydney become? It's like the 90's is coming back again and we're able to relive those childhood hits. Just to refresh your memory (in case you've forgotten or you're in denial) they were the ones that made 'Barbie Girl' and a whole suite of other lollypop pop songs (see what I did there?)
Aqua - Aquarium
I know you're all shouting, tell me more! I want to know when and where they're coming. Well their first show is sold out! (cue sounds of sadness and disappointment) but you'll be glad to know there is a second show up for offer!
When? 16th & 17th of March
Where? The HiFi, Sydney
How much? $60.50
Want to know more?
http://www.inthemix.com.au/news/aust/52000/Aqua_sell_out_announce_more_shows
http://www.moshtix.com.au/event.aspx?id=53728&ref=moshtix&skin=
And just to re-live some memories, here's a couple of YouTube videos:
Aqua - Barbie Girl
Aqua - Doctor Jones
Aqua - Cartoon Heroes
What I got up to this NYE…
Thanks to Martin Bui for finding this epic video on YouTube of Markus Schulz' epic performance at the Metro on New Years. Most of you will remember this song as 'that Russian space song' which went pretty high up the pop charts back when we just started high school.
That song... If you never knew was called ResuRection by a (now disbanded) group called PPK. This version's remixed by Setrise and has this wicked darkness to it. Love it.
Here's a photo from the night, taken by Martin!
Markus Schulz NY Sydney
Coldplay – Paradise
While I should be dumping my holidays into Lightroom for processing, I can't be bothered at the moment so instead I'll do a post about a song discovered while I was overseas and that song is Coldplay's Paradise (as well as a couple of its remixes). The original is simply a lovely tune and the video clip is definitely something to watch. The song was also played a couple of times while I was in Thailand and the remixes make for a great party tune 
.
Like most of Coldplay's music, it lends well to being remixed and this tune is no different with Fedde Le Grand putting out a lovely but dark (and somewhat trancey) tune and Mike Foyle in conjunction with X-Vertigo making a very light and cheerful version of the song. Check them out below!
Fedde Le Grand remix:
Mike Foyle and X-Vertigo Ft. Rapheal Pujol remix:
Hit 'Continue reading' for the lyrics:
DJ ntranced – First ever mix!
So since I'm at home all day recovering from my wisdom teeth removal surgery, what better thing to do but hit the decks and trying to get a mix together. Still learning at this stage but thought I'd try putting something together for the sake of it. Some pretty dodgy transitions in there, but I'm working on it. Hope you enjoy (comments would be great )
Tracklist:
- Cirez D - Mokba
- Afrojack & R3hab - Prutataaa
- Arty - Kate
- Super8 & Tab ft. Anton Sonin - Black Is The New Yellow (Protoculture Remix)
- Kyau & Albert - A Night Like This
- Sasha - Xpander (Funkagenda Remix)
- Ernesto vs. Bastian Rework - God Is A DJ (Dub Mix)
- First State ft. Tyler Sherrit - Maze
- Arty - Rebound
- Ummet Ozcan - Reboot
- Kyau & Albert - Be There 4 U (Mat Zo Remix)
- Arnej - Dust In The Wind
Cirez D – Mokba
Another Eric Prydz tune and O.M.G. it's awesome! Very simple and proggy but damn so funky at the same time. Simply love the bassline, just epic to get any big night going.
I know I've heard this live somewhere but I can't put my finger on it, thinking A&B but not too sure... Give me a shout if you remember! Definitely gotta incorporate this into a mix some how/some time.
Defqon.1 2011 – Photos
September means that time of the year again, you all know it. Defqon.1! Was photographing the event again this year and it never ceases to impress. The quality and effort which is put into this even is simply stunning and from this point of view, one of Australia's best festivals.
Defqon.1
I don't think I'm the happiest with my photos this year, for some reason felt like I was lacking a direction or purpose with these photos. Felt like I wasn't too sure what I should be aiming for, but it's all part of the process. Definitely with next year will have a bit of a think of what the aim is for the day and execute.
Anyway less babbling, the day itself?! Fabulous, the weather was great and the sun was out to play. Unfortunately for us photographers, we're stuck with a black shirt, pretty cool shirt, but I don't have a pic of the front to show you, it's got this year's stage in a wireframe at the front, very cool.
Defqon.1 crew, don't mess with me 
Note to self, get some bigger arms for next year, would make a photo like this much better. Like usual with defqon, it's pretty big with a whole heap of stages available to suit everyone's taste in hard electronic music.
The blue stage had a interesting setup but it's a shame that it was along a dusty patch and there was dust being kicked up everywhere! Not a good feeling after you've been sweating it out from fist pumping all day. The white car bonnets acting as a pseudo projector screen, very cool idea.
Blue stage
Black stage was a real pain in the ass and it was more like a red stage, inside red lights simply flooded the stage making it next to impossible to get a decent photo. Although as night fell, the lasers in here were simply spectacular, very bright and very vivid.
Black Stage
The rest you can check out in the rest of the photos, but there's no way I'd be neglecting the red stage, simply massive and definitely a work of art.
Red stage
Looks much better at night.
Red stage by night
For the rest of the gallery, click this epic photo below.
Click here for the rest of the photos
Enjoy the photos 
and see you again next year 
Ready to be DJ ntranced
So I've finally done it, I've bought some decks to finish off my first bedroom DJ setup. A pair of Pioneer CDJ 400's later and now I'm set to start mixing. I've had a quick play with it all and it's definitely not as easy as it looks. The most difficult part for me at the moment is to make sense of my vast collection of music and organising it in a way which is sensible.
The setup
Haha yes, it is the dreaded long exposure trail, haven't done those kind of photos in a long time, but there it is in all its glory, 2 CDJ 400's, a DJM 3000 mixer and a set of aiaiai TMA-1's (on my head an not pictured). Had it on my main desk for a few minutes just to plug it into my PC to see how it all goes and it does Traktor pretty well, but that will be for later .
The final piece
Hopefully I can pick it up fairly quickly and start cranking out some mixes .
Getting warmer…
Getting closer to unleasing dj ntranced received an early present yesterday while at work, a set of new headphones. These are known as aiaiai's TMA-1, set of DJ headphones produced by a Dutch company. Strange brand name, but quality product. Only did some rough research before buying them (used) and they seem to fit the bill in every aspect and it does seem like it was indeed made for DJ's as far as their marketing goes.
Stealthy look, single sided cable as well as being removable from both ends, perfect for my needs.
aiaiai TMA-1
Important question is, how do they sound? At first, I thought they were a bit too bassy and overpowering but after a few hours of listening, I kinda enjoyed it as it has a very smooth sound. While the bass is strong, it's very clear and punchy, but as soon as you put them on, you'll notice its sound stage, not sure how to describe it, but it's very 'big room' and warm.
Pretty happy with them and one step closer to DJ'ing. Just need some decks now.
Pryda – 2night
Eric Prydz is the man and he's done it again with another amazing tune under his Pryda label. I have no idea how this man pumps out some epic tunes (and be the same guy that released Call On Me, although that had a sweet video clip). Amazing piano riffs once again and a little more mellow than his last song, Pjanoo. Love it.
It's a damn shame he's got a fear of flying because he'd because it'd be an epic show. Hope he's still releasing gems like this when I get the chance to see him, in Europe or something.
Coldplay – Every Tear is a Waterfall (Swedish House Mafia Remix)
Woke up this morning to listen to ASOT 523 and this headbanger comes on as the first track and it's a beauty, something about mashing Coldplay and electronic beats which always seems to work. Swedish House Mafia have done it again with another tune to be played over and over at festivals all over the world.
So catchy and funky, brings a smile to my face .
Lyrics:
Masif Saturdays present Simon Patterson
Saturday night was one of some bangin' trance with tech trance giant Simon Patterson coming down under to Space Nightclub. Late start to the night with Simon scheduled to come on at 2am, but not actually arriving until 2.30. Not neccessarily a bad thing as I had later discovered with a DJ by the name of Jordan Suckley ripping up the decks.
Was very impressed by his style and his manic ways of creating a storm via Traktor and cutting up beats like a samurai, even bringing some scratching along. Simply stunning and I was gobsmacked.
Jordan Suckley
Simon Patterson came on with his thumping style shortly after and he seemed to love every moment of it. His set was the usual hard and fast and unfortunately I didn't stick around for the whole thing, so not sure how he progressed later on into the night, was pretty tired by 4am.
Patterson on the decks
He seemed to loved the crowd with smiles all round and and strange addiction to the camera.
Patterson and the camera
For the rest of the gallery, click the image below.
More pics here
Eco – m (you) sic
Although the album has been out for a few months, I've only just recently discovered it. Eco, previously known as DJ Eco (and the man responsible for the smash hit Borealis) has delivered the goods with the album entitled "m(you)sic". I find it a little hard to describe what this album is, as you listen through the whole thing, it has a very nice progression from start to end with a few very downbeat and chilled songs, like part 1 and 2 of architextures but building slowly to some more melodic and slightly driving tunes such as "The Light In Your Eyes Went Out". It's a perfect Sunday afternoon album for lazing about or perfect for a long drive.
m(you)sic
One of the tunes is a collaboration with Eller Van Buuren (yes, it's Armin's little guitarist brother) called My Name is You(th)
Definitely worth a listen if you're a bit more relaxed about your music choices as it's not quite as smashing as Borealis and a little strayed from your regular club trance (the album as a whole).
Other tune I'm loving from the album is "The Light In Your Eyes Went Out"
Simon Patterson tomorrow
Can't wait to see Simon Patterson live in the flesh tomorrow for some bangin' tech trance tomorrow night . Been craving some harder and deeper trance and getting pumped for tomorrow, especially when it's Simon Patterson who's still able to get the melodies and the lift in his music. Love his Dogzilla work and the tune below would be one of my favourites of all time, would be awesome if he plays it.
Lyrics:
First State ft. Sarah Howells – Skies on Fire
Loving this tune from First State at the moment, Sarah Howell's voice just works so well in this song. Got a nice bubbly vibe to it and it just sounds like of them feel-good kinda songs. Keeps me cheery .
Lyrics:
Masif Saturdays pres. Roger Shah @ Space Nightclub
DJ/Roger Shah came to town on Saturday night for a 3 hour set at Space Nightclub to show off his new album entitled 'Openminded?!" and from his set, his style certainly has shifted from the slow gentle sets to something a little harder and with a stronger bassline.
Music for Balearic people
He still keeps to his Balearic roots with the ocean sounds as well as the guitar and piano riffs, nothing has changed in that department and in DJ Shah style, the midi keyboards come out as well.
Roger on the keyboards
Photographically, I tried out some more moody kinda shots without flash and tried shooting with the 70-200 for a longer perspective rather than my usual upclose wider angle type shots. Was a bit difficult with Roger as his two keyboards block the view and also the lights were at times, very strong in colour.
Roger Shah
Click the photo below for the gallery:
Click here for more